Johnson & Johnson Opens Innovation Center in London

The company will pursue medical device, drug and packaging developments at the London facility.

Johnson & Johnson today announced the opening of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London, one of four regional hubs being established this year in the world's leading innovation hotspots. A part of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, the goal of the London innovation centre is to accelerate the best early stage science in the world and advance the development of new healthcare solutions.

"Britain has a worldwide reputation for excellence in innovation - the investment by Johnson & Johnson here demonstrates this and I am delighted to welcome this new centre to the UK," says UK Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt , who will be speaking at the Innovation Expo 2013 on Wednesday.

Johnson & Johnson Chief Scientific Officer and Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Paul Stoffels , MD, says, "The London Innovation Centre is part of Johnson & Johnson's broader innovation strategy to advance human health through collaboration with the world's leading scientists and entrepreneurs. We are looking forward to collaborating within the UK, home to one of the world's thriving life sciences ecosystems." Dr. Stoffels will address the Expo on Wednesday afternoon.The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies has been investing in the United Kingdom since 1927 and supports directly or indirectly more than 24,000 jobs. The London Innovation Centre will be one of more than a dozen facilities of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in the country.

Dr. Stoffels underscores Johnson & Johnson's shared commitment with the NHS to address some of today's most complex and devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia and Type 2 diabetes; and emphasizes the need for commitment from the healthcare community to support emerging companies and entrepreneurs in the UK who are bringing forward new science and technology. "Science and technology hold unprecedented opportunities to transform healthcare, and by investing and collaborating in groundbreaking science we can deliver transformational innovations in healthcare to people across the world."

In addition to the new Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London, similar facilities are planned in Boston, San Francisco and, later this year, in Shanghai. Each city was selected for its robust life sciences community.

The UK life sciences sector accounts for over 165,000 jobs and over £50 billion in business. It is home to a uniquely powerful combination of world-leading universities and scientific experts; established R&D, manufacturing and supply chain; globally renowned research charities and the NHS. This combination of outstanding features makes London an ideal innovation hub in Europe.

The Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London will house science and technology experts with broad expertise in developing new solutions and products. The centre will have local deal-making capabilities to flexibly adapt deal structures to match early-stage opportunities. This will enable scientists, entrepreneurs and emerging companies to deliver innovation via collaboration with experts who can drive partnerships across the pharmaceutical, medical device & diagnostics and consumer healthcare companies of Johnson & Johnson.

"Our on-the-ground proximity to regional scientists and entrepreneurs will allow us to build the strong personal relationships that underlie the most successful collaborations and investment deals," remarked Patrick Verheyen , the head of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London. "At Johnson & Johnson Innovation, we are committed to ensuring healthcare remains not only a significant source of economic prosperity in the UK, but also a driving force for improving the health and happiness of people worldwide."

Johnson & Johnson Innovation centre in London is located at 1 Chapel Place, London, W1G OBJ. For more information on the new innovation centres please contact jnjinnovation@its.jnj.com.

About Johnson & Johnson

Caring for the world, one person at a time…inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science – bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 127,600 employees at more than 275 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day throughout the world.